End to illiteracy sought
SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking the mobilization of local government units (LGUs) to achieve zero illiteracy nationwide.
Gatchalian’s call followed the release of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), which showed that seven out of ten Filipinos aged 10 to 64 are functionally literate. Functional literacy is the ability to read, write, compute, and comprehend.
For Filipinos aged five to 18, the functional literacy rate was recorded at 69.2%. Gatchalian, however, pressed the need for interventions that will boost literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3.
“Ang kakayahang magbasa at magbilang ay mga pundasyong kinakailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral at mahalaga ang pakikilahok ng mga komunidad at lokal na pamahalaan para matugunan ito,” said the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, adding that a hearing is scheduled for the 30th.
Gatchalian proposed the mobilization of LGUs to combat illiteracy in the National Literacy Council Act (Senate Bill No.473). Under the proposed measure, the local school boards shall serve as the de facto local literacy councils in provinces, cities, and municipalities.
AUTHOR PROFILE
HIGH RATINGS
